July 19 (Thursday)

The Libra moon shows us the importance of partnership. Being able to depend on someone in a time of need is one thing, but rely on yourself when you’re perfectly capable of succeeding on your own. Knowing when to surrender is important in business talks. A relationship brings you noticeable financial benefits, but don’t commit for that reason alone.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Having wonderful chemistry with a partner may seem sufficient for a relationship, but it’s not. If you are going to work toward a common goal with someone, make sure you have similar priorities. You must trust each other faithfully.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Older relatives will be receptive to your progressive ideas. A lovely Leo is lucky for you. A devilish character sparks up a romance with you. You’ll be writing with a powerful romantic drive tonight. Use it to your advantage.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Frustrations add fuel to your fire on the job. You’ll win potential clients over with ease when you forgo hokey marketing ploys and represent the truth. An ex-flame asks you to reconsider. Remember: You split up for a reason.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Buckle down the hatches, pay bills and don’t spend too much – your finances will improve. Apparent setbacks at work turn out to be the best things that ever happened to your career. Knowing what you want precedes getting it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You respond brilliantly under pressure. If you have labored to make every part of a project its own complete work, things fall into place without much effort. It’s the little steps that matter. Overlook small problems, and work on the big ones.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 19). It’s a year when you won’t be sorry you followed your gut instincts! Within the next six weeks, start something new, and by December, your cash flow will awe you. If you feel your love life is at a standstill now, you’ll be laughing, dancing and romancing your way into October, possibly with a Sagittarius or Aries. Travel is best in November or January. Your lucky numbers are: 12, 19, 33, 28 and 50.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The admiration you feel for someone is mutual. The energy is high. Your arguments are lucid and convincing; just don’t waste them on anything petty. Taking short trips is good for you. An Aries can help you break a destructive pattern.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Clean the skeletons out of the closet, and throw away the guilt that is attached. An opportunity to advance a relationship comes along just when you were starting to lose hope. Taking risks is what can bring about life’s greatest rewards.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). An adjustment period is over; you’ve reached a mutually satisfying understanding. There is no right or wrong, just do what is best for those involved. Pay a friend back for old favors, even if he/she hasn’t asked for compensation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your family will be there for you, but you shouldn’t cry wolf unless their attention is necessary. Analyzing the past isn’t as helpful as making plans for the future. You will resolve serious domestic problems near dinner time.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Others find your behavior eccentric, but you are the expert on things that directly affect your life. Think large! Get a close look at the work that a younger associate is turning in – you might be inspired. Learn to trust others.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Newly-discovered money will help you finish a long-term project. Your future intersects with a Virgo. At last, a relationship worth sustaining will develop. You might misinterpret a friendly gesture, so be careful before responding.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There will be no shortage of social events in which to test your uncommon psychic skills. Heightened sensitivity will help you to honor any connections you have made. Realize your own worth, and reward those who support you.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "One or two close friends are enough for me, but I get accused of being shy and introverted a lot. My family believes that’s why I haven’t gotten into a serious relationship. But meeting people is hard, especially the kind of guys I would be interested in dating. I think the right career can help me through this problem. Do you have any idea what that career might be? I was born on Jan. 31, 1971."

You’re more outgoing than the evidence currently suggests. There was something that happened when you were 8 years old that you still have not completely overcome. Revisiting that time and place in history in your mind will help you reckon with your shyness. Once you understand what you are afraid of, your fear of getting close will fall away. You will do very well in journalism, any job connected with air travel (especially customer relations), sales of marketing of sporting goods, or as a teacher, especially physical education or coaching. With Jupiter and several other planets in Sagittarius in your first sector of personality, you have optimism and enthusiasm that others find quite inspiring, as well as a terrific sense of humor that cheers up everyone around you. Do some in-depth research.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Sexy Leo Antonio Banderas takes up a new sport this year and is quickly recognized for his mastery of it. It’s the perfect time for all Leos to be brave and take on something new. Since Banderas’ wife, Melanie Griffith, is also a Leo, exploring new physical activities together will be a relationship-building experience.

To find out more about Joyce Jillson and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

Copyright 2001 Joyce Jillson